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What is Otitis Media". Otitis Media" means inflammation of the middle earDifferent types:Acute: presence of fluid, pus, redness of eardrum and possible feverChronic: fluid lasting 6 weeks or moreMay or may not be infectedDifferent types = different treatmentTypically when a physician says ear infection, actually means acute otitis media".
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1. Otitis Media Kirsten M. Marconi, Au.D., CCC-A
Educational Audiologist
Louisville, Marlington, Minerva, Plain Local, Sandy Valley
2. What is �Otitis Media� �Otitis Media� means inflammation of the middle ear
Different types:
Acute: presence of fluid, pus, redness of eardrum and possible fever
Chronic: fluid lasting 6 weeks or more
May or may not be infected
Different types = different treatment
Typically when a physician says ear infection, actually means �acute otitis media�
3. Facts about Otitis Media One of the most commonly diagnosed childhood illnesses in US
By age of 3, 4 out of 5 children will have at least 1 episode of otitis media
Most likely to occur in first 2-4 years of life
4. Causes Young children:
Eustachian tube is shorter and somewhat flat
Direct route for bacteria and viruses
Eustachian tube is narrow and stiff
Easier to get blocked
Adenoids
Gland-like structure at back/top of throat near opening of eustachian tube. If enlarged, can interfere with eustachian tube functioning.
Immune system not fully developed
Age 7
5. Middle Ear Space
6. Other causes Exposure to cigarette smoke
Bottle feeding (bottle at night, nap time)
Day care (kid-to-kid)
Ear infections aren�t contagious
Cold/virus that developed into an
ear infection is contagious
7. Signs and symptoms Earache
Tugging at ears
Loss of appetite
Trouble sleeping
Fever
Drainage (rupture)
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
8. Why worry about it?
Hearing difficulties
Speech delays
Children speak what they hear
9. Hearing loss Temporary
Conductive
Signs
Asks for repetition
Turns up tv, radio
Not responding
Appear inattentive at school
Nothing
Note from SLP, Ed Aud regarding a �flat tympanogram� or failed hearing screening.
10. Tympanograms �Normal� �Flat�
11. What next? Referral to physician
If chronic, referral to specialist
ENT
Ear, Nose, and Throat physician
12. Treatment options Different depending on physician
�Wait and see�
Antibiotics (IF infected)
PE tubes
Slit in eardrum
Drain fluid in ear
Place tube in ear (usually bilaterally)
Tube ventilates and equalizes pressure in middle ear, and subsequently will normalize hearing (IF hearing was normal in the first place)
In place anywhere from 6-18 months, usually fall out on their own.
13. Pressure Equalization Tubes
14. FOLLOW UP! Tubes won�t work if they aren�t open!